Cities, county at odds over police, fire deals

City officials said they are hesitant to sign up for long-term contracts with the Sheriff's Department because they have seen continuous cost increases over the years. County officials said they want cities to sign up for at least a five-year commitment when they renew their contracts.KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If cities want to continue contracting with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, they may have to make a longer commitment.

Police and fire services tend to be sacred cows, with cities rarely opting out of contracts or changing agencies.

But in recent months, a number of Orange County cities have looked for alternatives, requesting proposals from outside agencies and studying whether there are cheaper public safety options. County officials are now looking to cement agreements with contracting cities and will ask them to ink longer contracts.

"I think it's negligent if we don't," said Shawn Nelson, vice chairman of the county Board of Supervisors. "I just want to make sure we're protected."

Most cities renew their contracts with the Orange County Sheriff's Department yearly. When the 2013 contracts come up, county officials will ask for no less than a five-year commitment from its 12 contract cities. The longer contracts could add financial security to the Sheriff's Department and help the county pay for deputies' pension funds.

But the decision comes as several cities search for ways to cut costs. Public safety tends to be the costliest item for most cities, and though none of the cities contracting with the Sheriff's Department threatened to end its agreement, some officials said they want to keep their options open.

O.C. cities have made it clear they are willing to make drastic changes. Last week, Yorba Linda ended a 42-year relationship with the Brea Police Department and decided to contract with the Sheriff's Department. On April 18, Santa Ana broke up its 128-year-old fire department and hired the Orange County Fire Authority.

COUNTY SEEKS FIVE-YEAR DEALS

County officials will seek five-year agreements from now on, but officials have discussed possible 20-year contracts with the Sheriff's Department, similar to the contracts signed by cities with the Orange County Fire Authority. But city officials seem hesitant to lock themselves into such long-term deals.

"I would recommend to my council to never again sign a 20-year agreement with another agency," said Carol Jacobs, city manager for Stanton, which is in a five-year contract with the Sheriff's Department.

Like other cities, Stanton has seen the cost of its sheriff's contract increase. The city pays $1.6 million more than it did in 2005, yet the number of deputies on patrol has remained the same. The city faces nearly $900,000 in cuts for next year's budget, but it won't include cuts in fire or police services – the bulk of the city's expenses – because of their contracts, Jacobs said.

"The Sheriff's Department provides great service," she said. "(They) may provide an excellent service, but I'm drinking Champagne on a beer budget."

Yorba Linda and Santa Ana are not the only cities that have shown a willingness to make big changes to police and fire agencies.

In April, Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton and La Habra gave the go-ahead to study the possibility of joining police services. Last year, Costa Mesa also looked into the possibility of disbanding the city's fire department. Anaheim, Fullerton and Orange have looked into merging fire departments.

Related Links

City officials said they are hesitant to sign up for long-term contracts with the Sheriff's Department because they have seen continuous cost increases over the years. County officials said they want cities to sign up for at least a five-year commitment when they renew their contracts. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Most cities contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department from year to year, but county officials will be asking cities to sign up for at least a five-year commitment for their next contracts. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Most cities contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department from year to year, but county officials will be asking cities to sign up for at least a five-year commitment for their next contracts. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Most cities contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department from year to year, but county officials will be asking cities to sign up for at least a five-year commitment for their next contracts. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
City officials said they are hesitant to sign up for long-term contracts with the Sheriff's Department because they have seen continuous cost increases over the years. County officials said they want cities to sign up for at least a five-year commitment when they renew their contracts. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
City officials said they are hesitant to sign up for long-term contracts with the Sheriff's Department because they have seen continuous cost increases over the years. County officials said they want cities to sign up for at least a five-year commitment when they renew their contracts. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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